SAN DIEGO -- The play was vintage Landon Donovan. A right-footed pass took three defenders and the goalkeeper out of the play, allowing a teammate to score at the far post. The crowd roared, his teammates celebrated.

At which point, one could not help but notice the surroundings. The venue was not Dignity Health Sports Park, the renamed home of Donovan's beloved LA Galaxy. Nor was it any of the World Cup venues he has graced over the years. Rather, it was the 62-year-old Pechanga Arena -- formerly...